Laurel Saville

This book took me by surprise. At first, I didn't find the story more than an OK reading, had a bit of a problem connection to both the story and Miranda. The story wasn't bad, it just felt like perhaps this would be not my kind of book, but somewhere along the way I got hooked.

I think after the intro with Miranda losing pretty much everything that had some meaning to her is over the book's story really take off. Miranda is a very vulnerable young girl, and she isn't ready to be thrown into a life of responsibility when she is left to standing on her two feet. So, it's pretty understandable that she clings to Dix who she has known for years, and they would probably have been very happy if Darius, a charismatic "guru" shows up and she feels the need to leave her old life behind to life after his "philosophy".

To be honest, I think that it was unavoidable if it hadn't been Darius would it had been someone or something else. I got the impressions that Miranda was so lost that in the end the relationship with Dix probably wasn't enough for her. And, that's the tragic part because he is such a perfect guy and yet still she is drawn to this rich boy turned guru that everyone with the expedition of delusional women see is bad news. But, Miranda has always wanted to help lost youths and here she thinks will she get the chance. It's both frustrating and sad to read it.

The book is tragic, but amidst the darkness, there is always light. What I like about this book is how human the characters are, some are gullible and are taken advantage of, and some like Dix and Sally see through the charade and can do nothing but watch. I think personally the thing that makes this book so poignant is that it mirror the real world so tragically well.

North By Here is a very good book. I felt sadness and concern for Miranda throughout the book and the book's story surprised me with its twists. And, I loved that ending. So perfect! … (mere)

Originally published on blog at: http://www.literaryfeline.com/2016/02/bookish-thoughts-north-of-here-by.html

My Bookish Thoughts:

I found North of Here . . . unexpected. The above description is a fitting one, but the novel took a turn I hadn't expected--I feel it's safe to say that without spoiling anything. This really is a novel about the characters in many ways, about the way their lives interconnect, and the consequences of their actions and inactions.

Although it is never said, Miranda is clearly depressed, feeling helpless and lost after everything she has been through. Raised in wealth, she has never wanted for anything. With all that now gone, she is forced to re-evaluate her life, only she is not in the mental frame to do it. She doesn't know what she wants, not really. She isn't sure what she needs. Laurel Saville has created a character in which her feelings, her grief and sense of hopelessness, seem so very real. She is like a wounded bird you cannot resist but want to help.

I liked Dix instantly. I am not at all like him myself, but I wish I was. He gets things done. He fixes things. He respects the land and lives a relatively simple life. People think of him as just another local, uneducated and simple. They would be wrong. He is the local handyman who goes out of his way to help Miranda, taking her under his wing. Perhaps his biggest strength and also his biggest weakness is that he takes things as they are and doesn't often ask questions or sweat the small stuff. While admirable on one hand, it makes one wonder if it also meant a lost opportunity or two.

Then there is David, aka Darius, who is lost in his own way. Dropping out of college, he wanders aimlessly in search of a purpose. He stumbles on land and envisions building a life there--not just for himself, but for wounded people and troubled teens. Armed with the knowledge he has gained from self-help books and his own ego, he is sure he is the one who can save them. His good looks and charisma made me wary of him, but not so the other characters in the novel.

Sally was more of an enigma to me. I did not much care for her at first. She is a social worker by trade, and owns the land Darius wants to buy. She decides to stay on in the house with Darius, saying she wants to make sure he pays the mortgage. Perhaps loneliness drives her initially. That and Darius's good looks. I was disappointed in her as the novel continued, in her complacency particularly. She isn't dumb. She knows how the real world works, is a bit hardened because of her experiences, and obviously has a heart. By the end of the novel, she redeemed herself somewhat in my eyes.

As the novel progresses, the relationships of the characters evolve, and not always in the best or even expected ways. Perhaps this is what makes them so very human and real. You see Miranda's depression grow worse and her need to fill a void in her life grow. She ostracizes the one person who offers her a safe haven, turning instead to the false promise of The Source, the community Darius has put together which is made up of women and the occasional teen or two.

The novel is told in third person, divided into three sections. The narrative winds slowly along at times and speeds up at others, jumping days and weeks ahead. This sometimes can bother me in novels, but I felt it worked well in this one. I found North of Here to be a quiet and unassuming novel, as well as quite compelling. I became emotionally invested in the characters and their stories. I have so many questions on finishing the book--about the characters, about the choices they made. I can see this one being a good one for a book club. There's certainly a lot here to discuss.… (mere)

My Review of “BENEATH THE TREES” by LAUREL SAVILLE

Kudos to Author Laurel Saville for her poetic descriptions of the landscape and story in “Beneath the Trees.” There are different layers in this novel that bring attention to many important conventional topics in society today. The author has a unique way of weaving her story in the elements of nature and giving a feeling of realism to the fictional parts of this novel. The genre for this story is Fiction, with a feel of scientific research. The timeline of this novel is set in the present, only referring to the past when it pertains to the characters or events in this story.
The story takes place in Upper New York State, near the Canadian border in the Adirondack mountains.
The author describes her characters as complicated and complex. Colden McComb is researching and tracking the relationship in nature of moose and beaver and looking for more to observe. She lives part time in Albany to do her academic research. Although it is challenging, Colden has more of a comfortable relationship with nature, than people. Colden is also in an academic and scientific field where she is one of the few women making her way in a system that mostly has been dominated by men.
Colden’s family consists of her father and stepmother.
I appreciate that the author shows compassion to animals. One example is that Colden’s father has a special farm for animals that have been abused or hurt. They are retrained and cared for. He hires people who have been abused as well.
I also love that the author brings attention to environmental matters, conservation, and the understanding of animal life in the wild.
. The author discusses important topics such as sexual abuse, emotional abuse, the foster system for children, women working in a male dominated field, the importance for the study of life in the wild, and conservation and the environment.
The author also shows the importance of community, family, friends, neighbors, self- worth, kindness, caring and love.
This is a novel that makes one think of the importance of the environment. Everyone is different, and in this novel the author shows us to learn to accept and help one another. Thank you to Get Red PR, Kindle Press, and Laurel Saville for a copy of this novel for my honest review. I would recommend this novel for readers that enjoy fiction with a realistic feel and contemporary issues. Happy Reading!
Linda Zagon Lindas Book Obsession… (mere)